DOSBox-X vs DosKit

DOSBox-X is a free, open-source DOS emulator for running DOS applications and games on Linux, macOS and Windows. It also supports DOS-based Windows guests, including Windows 3.x and Windows 9x/Me. The project emphasizes general emulation and accurate hardware behavior, with DOS/V services and emulation for NEC PC-98, AX and J-3100 systems. A graphical configuration tool and many virtual-machine options let users adjust the emulated environment. DOSBox-X provides up to 100 save slots, with automatic saving for selected programs or at user-defined intervals. Its emulated NE2000 adapter supports guest networking through PCAP and Slirp backends. Printing can use parallel ports and real or emulated printers, with PostScript or PNG output. Launching host applications from the emulator is disabled by default for security and can be enabled through configuration or a command-line option. The project describes use for DOS software, historical preservation, testing and continued DOS development; emulating Pentium 4-or-higher CPUs and post-2000 PC hardware are listed as non-goals.

DosKit is a cross-platform foundation for running DOS applications through js-dos WebAssembly technology. It opens to an interactive DOS command prompt and is available as an installable Progressive Web App for desktop and mobile devices. After the first visit, service-worker caching enables offline use. URL parameters can load applications such as Second Reality and Impulse Tracker. Input includes standard DOS keyboard controls, including function keys and special characters, plus mobile touch controls. Audio output uses Sound Blaster and AdLib emulation. DosKit uses js-dos 8.3.20 WebAssembly and supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends. Its command interface includes pause, resume, mute, unmute, screenshots and filesystem read/write commands. WebAssembly and JavaScript are required, with at least 2GB of RAM recommended. Internet Explorer is unsupported, and iOS Safari versions before 15 have limited WebAssembly support. DosKit is free under the MIT License; js-dos and DOSBox are listed under GPL-2.0 licenses.